For the 2024 Milton Glaser lecture series, our first-year students gathered for an intimate discussion with Yoon Ahn.

Yoon Ahn is a renowned designer and the creative force behind AMBUSH, a brand that has become integral to streetwear culture today. Born in South Korea and raised in Boston, Yoon later moved to Tokyo to establish her own brand, despite not knowing the language. She began her career as a jewelry designer, creating bold, hip-hop-inspired pieces that caught the attention of artists like Pharrell Williams and Rhianna. In 2008, she co-founded AMBUSH with Japanese rapper Verbal, initially focusing on jewelry that blended 90s hip-hop aesthetics with Japanese minimalism. The brand quickly gained popularity, leading to collaborations with major names and a debut at Paris Fashion Week in 2015.

In 2018, Yoon Ahn was appointed Jewelry Director at Dior Men by Kim Jones, further cementing her influence in high-end fashion. Under her guidance, AMBUSH has expanded beyond jewelry to include clothing and footwear, known for its unique fusion of streetwear and luxury design.

Recently, she collaborated with Nike and tennis star Naomi Osaka to create exclusive competition kits and the “Nike Women by Yoon” apparel collection, seamlessly blending sport, fashion, and sub-culture. Despite facing challenges as a female designer in a male-dominated industry, Yoon continues to break barriers and defy expectations, drawing inspiration from her multicultural experiences and remaining committed to creating designs that reflect a global perspective.

I was surprised to learn she actually studied graphic design at BU, but now she’s thriving in the fashion industry. For me, this opens up new possibilities for career paths in our field. — Ying Ying (Class of 2026)

I connect with her work because she drew and still draws inspiration from her background like I do. Yoon merges diverse cultural influences and blends streetwear with high fashion, especially her background as a Korean-American in Tokyo and her experience with Japanese street fashion and culture. And many of my works are highly inspired by my heritage, history, and culture. As an international student from Korea, this is important for me. — You Min Choi (Class of 2026)

My biggest takeaway from this lecture is to keep pushing yourself and innovate with the times. What impressed me most was the strategic transformation Yoon has made for Ambush, evolving it from a jewelry brand into a comprehensive fashion label. She shared how her journey began with jewelry but expanded into fashion to create more “complete” looks, recognizing the market demand and her brand’s potential. Her ability to identify Ambush’s core strengths and align them with emerging trends has been instrumental in its growth. — Aimee Chang (Class of 2026)